Perfect Fit!

US: Levi Strauss CEO joins Harley-Davidson board

Iconic motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc has elected Levi Strauss & Co president and CEO John Anderson to its board of directors. What could be a more perfect fit. Levi's and Harleys have been intertwined since the 1950s and this appointment acknowledges their purely American heritage.

"Like Harley-Davidson, Levi's is one of the world's most highly-regarded brands," said Harley-Davidson chairman Barry K Allen. "John's rich experience with international operations and growing the Levi's brand globally adds valuable expertise and an important dimension to our own focus on global growth for the Harley-Davidson brand."

Anderson, who has been Levi's president and CEO since 2006, has held a number of merchandising, marketing and operational roles at the apparel and jeanswear firm during his 30-year career there.These have included president of the company's Asia Pacific division and president of its global sourcing organisation. These skillls will fit in nicely with Harley-Davidson's plans for expansion into that area of the world. Harley-Davidson Inc is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Harley-Davidson Financial Services and Buell Motorcycle Company. It also sells its own branded motorclothes merchandise such as jackets, boots and rain gear.